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Trophy Breeders is a newly formed association of specialist game breeders, who, collectively, have many decades of cumulative recorded experience in game farming. Its members are Dries Visser Snr & Jr , Lee Cannata and Miguel Ferreira, Jan & Elsa van den Heever, Pieter Prinsloo, Wicus & Hannes Pretorius, Willie & Christa Saayman, Barry & Magda Streicher and the du Plessis brothers, Andre, Arnold & Jurie.
It all started in mid-2009, when two of the members shared their idea to assemble an exclusive group of ‘rare species’ game breeders who, in the first instance, focused on outstanding quality, and who also subscribed to high ethical standards. The intention was for the group to offer quality animals for sale at a ‘live’ auction to be held annually. Over the ensuing months each new member of the group was carefully identified and successfully enlisted.
Following extensive engagement, planning and organising among its members, the first TROPHY BREEDERS AUCTION WAS HELD ON FRIDAY, 20 AUGUST 2010. It was conducted by the well known Willie Roux of Vleissentraal at one of the best-appointed game pens and facilities in the country, Mpatamacha, 30 kilometres from Vaalwater, on the Melkrivier road (GPS co-ordinates S 24° 05’ 419” E 28° 17’ 592”).
Trophy Breeders recognises that game buyers are becoming increasingly discerning, particularly among the rare species and so the right quality in the right quantity and ratio are considered by its members to be fundamental requirements for a successful auction. Consequently, besides planning on keeping the duration of auctions within preferred parameters (not more than 2,5 hours), Trophy Breeders will ensure that all animals presented for sale meet minimum quality selection criteria, following an assessment by a sub-committee of two of its most experienced members. Also, animals for sale will be available for viewing ‘live’ at the game pens approximately a week before and on the day of the auction (with a few exceptions, in which event these lots will be offered by catalogue). This, of course, will in no way preclude prospective buyers from visiting each of the members’ farms to view animals before auctions.
Species on offer at auctions will largely be limited to Zambian sable (mostly ex-Kafue), buffalo, Matetsi sable, Roan Antelope, Black Impala, Golden Wildebeest, Rhino and Hippo, comprising pregnant females, heifers as well as fine breeding bulls.
Among the more important tasks Trophy Breeders members have been busying themselves with, is a code of ethics and conduct. This has been developed and all elements endorsed by each member. Prominent features of this code, amongst others, include total transparency and honesty in all dealings.
The members of Trophy Breeders are like-minded individuals, who share a passion and commitment in striving for excellence. They individually enjoy a strong reputation in the industry and collectively they aspire to make every Trophy Breeders auction a Must-Attend Auction for all serious and aspiring breeders.
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